Q&A with bass-baritone Ben Knight
Here at DEBUT, we love to meet and work with new and exciting singers and musicians. We have the fabulous British bass-baritone Ben Knight joining us for the first time on 10th August!
Hannah catches up with Ben ahead of his DEBUT at Brunel Museum..
Welcome Ben! What can we expect from your performance?
I am delighted to be joining DEBUT! I have chosen lots of brilliant music to present in such a special space. Audience members can expect to be moved and experience a wide range of emotions with the music I am sharing and I am sure they will all hear something new!
How did you get into singing/music?
I have so many memories of my mum and dad (who are not musical) singing all their favourite tunes in the car, so using my voice to express has always been something that I enjoyed doing in the car. However, I did pluck up the courage to enter the talent contest at school with Ricky Martin’s hip moving song Livin' la Vida Loca (Living the Crazy Life) and loved it! From that moment I knew I wanted to live the crazy life as a singer.
Tell us about a memorable performance
A recent memorable performance was a lunchtime recital I did at the Royal Opera House. I had not done a solo recital since an online one during the pandemic, in which only a handful of people were allowed in the room. This recital had 300 audience members who were surrounding me in the Paul Hamlyn Hall, those members included close friends and family who had not heard me sing in years. The mixture of performing in such a special environment, alongside in person audience members, made it a special day.
What is your favourite role to sing/or favourite opera?
Recently, I have been exploring the Forrester from the Cunning Little Vixen in English - which has been lots of fun. The vocal and orchestral music is stunning, lots of colours and layers to connect with. The productions I have seen of this have also been super fun and importantly, accessible for all.
Summer is full of opera festivals... can you give us your insider tips for what to see this year?
Semele at Glyndebourne Opera Festival looks wonderful this summer, as well as a brilliant looking cast, the chorus music in the opera is beautiful. It is also a brilliant day out for a picnic!
Outside of music - how do you spend your time?
My time outside of music involves keeping up to date with rugby. I am a big Bath Rugby fan so I watch as much rugby as I can! I am going to France in September to watch some of the World Cup, which I am very excited about.
DEBUT’s monthly classical music experience south of the river at Brunel Museum’s historic Grade II* listed Thames Tunnel Shaft, in collaboration with Midnight Apothecary.
MUSICIANS
Jorge Carlo Mariani tenor
Hannah Shilvock bass clarinet
Rieko Makita piano
Lizzie Holmes soprano & host
Sam Peña resident pianist & improviser